Automotive Detail Stick

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that focuses on improving efficiency, profitability, and results in the automotive detailing and automotive paint and body shop industries, contains a first sanding layer, a second sanding layer, and a center layer. An inner surface of the first sanding layer is connected to the center layer. An inner surface of the second sanding layer is connected to the center layer opposite to the first sanding layer. The multiple tiers of the apparatus provide more control to the user. A first edge and a second edge of the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer can be a straight-cut edge, a bevel cut edge or a rounded edge. Thus, the user can utilize the apparatus in a wide variety of surfaces. The consistency and the uniformity of the sanding patterns obtained helps the user polish the sanded area to a more refined finish.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/329,316 filed on Apr. 29, 2016. The current application is filed on May 1, 2017 while Apr. 29, 2017 was on a weekend.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the fields of automotive detailing and automotive paint and body shop tools. More specifically, the present invention is a sanding block that is used for paint restoration, paint refinishing and scratch removal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the automotive paint refinishing industry, few products have changed throughout the years. Most advancements have been in the areas of polishing machines, polishes and polishing pads, but few improvements have been made to address the sanding or “prepping” steps of the paint refinishing process. These procedures are daily occurrences in the automotive refinishing industry, and typical color sanding or final finishing has traditionally been done with bulky rubber or flexible sanding blocks. Some creative technicians may cut down dowels or other materials to bridge the gap when sanding tight transitions or areas, but no specialized product has been created for the majority of technicians.

Inconsistent and non-uniform sanding patterns are major issues that can lead to unfavorable results. Inconsistent and non-uniform sanding patterns requires the area of concern to be sanded multiple times for improvement, which can result in damage to the surface that is being sanded. Therefore, an apparatus that can be used for achieving consistent results is clearly needed.

The present invention intends to address the aforementioned issues. To do so, the present invention introduces a sanding block with a two level or three level tier design. For different applications, the present invention is made available in different materials, weights, and sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein a pair of opposing widthwise edges and a pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer are beveled cut edges.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer are beveled cut edges.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer are beveled cut edges; wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the second sanding layer remain unchanged.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges of the first sanding layer, the center layer, and the second layer is rounded.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer are rounded; wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the second sanding layer remain unchanged.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges are rounded of the first sanding layer are rounded; wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the second sanding layer are beveled cut edges.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the first sanding layer, the center layer, and the second sanding layer are trapezoidal; wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges are rounded.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the pair of opposing lengthwise edges are rounded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an apparatus that focuses on improving efficiency, profitability, comfort, and results for the daily challenges faced by the automotive detailing and body shop technicians. In particular, the present invention is specifically designed to aid in the improvement or removal of random isolated deeper scratches, texture and other imperfections that cannot be achieved from strictly compounding and polishing alone. In doing so, the present invention maximizes the contact area between the sanding block and the sanded area, so that more consistent and uniform sanding patterns can be obtained. The consistency and the uniformity of these sanding patterns assists the user in polishing the sanded area to a more refined finish.

The present invention is designed as a sanding block comprised of a multiple tier structure. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a first sanding layer 1, a second sanding layer 2, and a center layer 8 as shown in FIG. 1. The first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 each comprises a pair of opposing widthwise edges 3, a pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4, an outer surface 5, a body 6, and an inner surface 7. The first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 are used in the process of sanding a preferred area. When in use, a piece of sand paper is wrapped around the first sanding layer 1 or the second sanding layer 2, so that the sand paper adjusts according to the shape of the first sanding layer 1 or the second sanding layer 2. A distance determined by the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 determines the overall width of the first sanding layer 1, the center layer 8, and the second sanding layer 2. Similarly, a distance determined by the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4 determines the overall length of the first sanding layer 1, the center layer 8, and the second sanding layer 2. The overall width and overall length of the present invention can vary from one embodiment to another.

A distance between the inner surface 7 and the outer surface 5 determines the overall thickness of the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the overall thickness of the present invention can also vary from one embodiment to the other. The overall surface area of the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 is determined by the body 6, which extends in between each of the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 and each of the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4. To do so, the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4 is positioned in between the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3. The inner surface 7 of the first sanding layer 1 is connected to the center layer 8. Similarly, the inner surface 7 of the second sanding layer 2 is connected to the center layer 8 opposite to the first sanding layer 1.

The thickness of the center layer 8 can also vary from one embodiment to another. Preferably, the center layer 8 has a thickness sufficient to provide rigidity to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first sanding layer 1, the center layer 8, and the second sanding layer 2 are rectangular in shape. As illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in other embodiments of the present invention the shape of the first sanding layer 1, the center layer 8, and the second sanding layer 2 can be trapezoidal or any other shape as long as the overall functionality of the present invention remains the same.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first sanding layer 1 is connected to the center layer 8 with the use of a first adhesive layer 9. To do so, the first adhesive layer 9 is distributed along the inner surface 7 of the first sanding layer 1. Similar to the first adhesive layer 9, a second adhesive layer 10 is used to connect the second sanding layer 2 to the center layer 8. To do so, the second adhesive layer 10 is distributed along the inner surface 7 of the second sanding layer 2. Even though the first adhesive layer 9 and the second adhesive layer 10 are used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a comparable method can be used in other embodiments of the present invention as long as the overall functionality of the present invention is not affected.

As discussed before, the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 are used alternatively per the need of the user. The first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 are made of a material selected from the group consisting of foams, plastics, metals, and other composite materials. The type and density of the foams can also be varied so that the present invention has more versatility. To further increase the usage of the present invention, the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 are designed to be of different weights, densities, shapes, and sizes. The varying weights and the densities allows the user to vary the force that is being applied to the sanded area. The varying densities are beneficial in obtaining different sanding patterns. As an example, if the first sanding layer 1 has a different density from the second sanding layer 2, the user can promptly switch from one sanding pattern to another. The varying sizes and shapes allows the user to utilize the present invention on a wide variety of surfaces.

The center layer 8 allows the user to have more control and less impact absorption when the present invention is being used. Moreover, the center layer 8 allows the user to maintain a better grip on the present invention, so that uniform sanding patterns can be achieved with less effort. The center layer 8 can be comprised of different materials. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the center layer 8 is comprised of acrylic. However, in other embodiments of the present invention the center layer 8 can be comprised of carbon fiber, aluminum, and other comparable composite materials.

As discussed before, the shape of the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 can vary from one embodiment to another. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 and of the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 are rounded. To accommodate the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 of the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2, a pair of opposing widthwise edges of the center layer 8 is also rounded. More specifically, the junctions between the first sanding layer 1 and the center layer 8, and the junctions between the second sanding layer 2 and the center layer 8 are chamfered. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the present invention, the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4 are beveled cut edges. As illustrated in FIG. 5, to add even more versatility to the present invention, the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4 of the first sanding layer 1 are beveled cut edges. On the other hand, the pair of opposing widthwise edges 3 and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges 4 of the second sanding layer 2 are designed with no beveled cut edge. The beveled cut edge can be, but is not limited to, a top beveled cut edge, a top beveled with land cut or another comparable beveled cut.

When the present invention is being used, the following process is generally followed. Initially, the area to be sanded is determined. Next, the size and shape of the present invention is appropriately selected depending on the area that is to be sanded. Finally, the sand paper is wrapped around the first sanding layer 1 or the second sanding layer 2, and the sanding process is executed.

As mentioned before, the center layer 8, which is comprised of acrylic, plastic, metal or other composite material, attached to the first sanding layer 1 and the second sanding layer 2 is beneficial during the sanding process. The firm structural characteristics of the material used for manufacturing the center layer 8, allows for more control and less absorption in the sanding block being used. The center layer 8, also enhances the response or “feedback” from the sanding block into the user's hand. Due to the sanding block's weight, it assists in allowing the first sanding layer 1 or the second sanding layer 2 to continuously have the maximum amount of contact with the sanded area throughout the entire sanding motion. Maximum contact during the sanding process results in the user obtaining more uniform and consistent sanding patterns. The consistency and the uniformity of these sanding patterns assists the user in polishing the sanded area to a more refined finish.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive detail stick comprises: a first sanding layer; a second sanding layer; a center layer; the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer each comprises a pair of opposing widthwise edges, a pair of lengthwise edges, an outer surface, a body, and an inner surface; the pair of opposing lengthwise edges being positioned in between the pair of opposing widthwise edges; the body being distributed in between the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges; the inner surface of the first sanding layer being connected to the center layer; and the inner surface of the second sanding layer being connected to the center layer opposite to the first sanding layer.
 2. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sanding layer being made of a material selected from the group consisting of foams, plastics, metals, and composite materials.
 3. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sanding layer being made of a material selected from the group consisting of foams, plastics, metals, and composite materials.
 4. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer are rounded edges.
 5. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer and the second sanding layer are beveled cut edges.
 6. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the first sanding layer are beveled cut edges.
 7. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing widthwise edges and the pair of opposing lengthwise edges of the second sanding layer are beveled cut edges.
 8. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center layer is manufactured from aluminum.
 9. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center layer is manufactured from acrylic.
 10. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center layer is manufactured from carbon fiber.
 11. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a first adhesive layer; the first adhesive layer being distributed along the inner surface of the first sanding layer; and the inner surface of the first sanding layer being connected to the center layer with the first adhesive layer.
 12. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a second adhesive layer; the second adhesive layer being distributed along the inner surface of the second sanding layer; and the inner surface of the second sanding layer being connected to the center layer with the second adhesive layer.
 13. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sanding layer, the second sanding layer, and the center layer are rectangular.
 14. The automotive detail stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sanding layer, the second sanding layer, and the center layer are trapezoidal. 